Apparatus for producing woven fabrics



May 19, 1953 P. H. STORTZ APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING WOVEN FABRICS Filed Feb. 20 1951 INVENTOR. PARKER H. $r0Rrz tufted fabrics.

Patented May 19, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FABRICS Parker H. Stortz, Glendale, Calif.

Application February 20, 1951, Serial No. 211,916

1 This invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for weaving and in particular relates to a specific improvement in the shedding step of loom operation-for weaving tufted or un- Specifically this invention in-' volves an improved apparatus for displacing individual warp ends from the warp to form the shed through which the shuttle carrying the filling is thrown. In weaving fabrics there are two principal systems of yarns including those which extend the length of the fabric which are termed collectively the warp and those traversing the warp at substantially right angles which are termed the weft, woof, or the filling. The warp consists of a number of parallel yarns termed warp ends or merely ends stretched through the loom forming a sheet. The filling is interwoven into the sheet, passing under then over successive ends in what is called a plain weave. On one traverse, the filling passes over a given warp end then under the same end on the subsequent traverse forming a mesh of woven fabric having a width determined by the number of ends in the sheet and the spacing between them. The lengthof the fabric is unrestricted in power-driven looms and may be made of considerabl length by providing a source of long Warp ends substantially the length of the fabric desired.

In producing such a fabric, there are three principal motions involved in the operation of the loom which include shedding the warp, picking, and beating-up. These motions are repeated for each traverse of the filling in the fabric and take place rapidly in succession as fast as 150 or 200 times per minute or faster.

The shedding operation involves separating certain warp ends from the others in the warp by pulling them out ofv the plane of the sheet. In a plain weave, every other end is moved in one direction out of the plane of the Warp while the remaining ends are either allowed to remain in place or are deflected in the opposite, direction. Viewing the warp or sheet from the side, i. e.,

i from its edge, a diamondor triangular-shaped opening is apparent between the divided ends and which is termed the shed.

The picking operation involves the throwing of the shuttle through the opening or shed thus formed. The shuttle carries a bobbin of filling which unwinds during transit through the shed, leaving a strand of filling yarn behind. Following transit of the shuttle. the shed is closed by returning the displaced warp ends to the plane of the warp.

19 Claims.

warp or sheet and passing the filling back and forth through the shed formed each time.

In conventional power driven looms, the shedding operation is effected by means of heddles suspended from harnesses. The harnesses consist of a pair of beams positioned transverse with respect tothe warp ends and placed one on either side of the warp. Disposed between these harnesses in a plane substantially perpendicular to thewarp are wireheddles each having an eye through which a single warp end is passed. The harnesses are each tied by means of a cable passing over sheaves to the extremities of a harness lever or jack which is pivoted at its center. By means of a cam, this jack is oscillated about its pivot, thus raising and lowering the harnesses with respect to the normal position of the warp. Usually a plurality of. two or more such sets of harnesses are used with certain warp ends passing through the heddles of certain harnesses. Thus, by actuating one harness, a certain series of ends may be separated from the others, and by actuating another a different set of ends may be so separated. In making a plain weave, two harnesses are used with the even numbered ends passing through the heddles of one harness and the odd numbered ends passing through the heddles of the other. The harnesses are alternately raised and lowered, placing first the even numbered ends in the top of the shed and next the odd numbered. ends while the shuttle is thrown through each shed formed.

invention, is in some cases entirely eliminated and in others is substantially reduced.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved loom in which a simplified shedding mechanism is employed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a more efficient and quicker acting shedding mechanism of very low inertia for high speed power driven looms.

It is a further object to provide an improved shedding mechanism for looms which imparts thereto a considerably decreased floor area requirement from that conventionally required.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description and illustration thereof proceeds.

Briefly, the present invention is an improved shedding mechanism for looms and comprises at least one pair of heddle actuating shafts, preferably concentric to each other, extending transverse to the warp ends and placed adjacent the warp. From eachshaft a plurality of heddles in the form of fingers extends substantially parallel to the warp and ending :in a curved portion which terminate in an eye. Through the eye of each of these improved heddle rods extends one warp end. Alternate heddles are attached, in the simplest modification of this invention, to the same heddle actuating shaft. In a preferred modification of very low inertia, each pair of heddle actuating shafts consisting of a concentric primary or inner and a secondary or outer shaft which are adapted to rotate'through an are independently or each other. A plurality of transverse slots are cut at intervals along the length of the secondary shaft thus exposing the primary shaft. Theheddles attached to the primary shaft'extend through these slots into the primary shaft while theother heddles attached to the secondary shaft and are inserted into radial apertures bored into the bars remaining in the outer .shaft between the transverse slots referred to above.

The heddle bars which are attached to the heddle actuating shafts comprise a linear portion which extends from the heddlesh'aftspaced apart from the warp ends and continue into a curved portion which terminates at :the plane :of the warp in an eye through which a single warpend is passed. Alternate ends are extended through heddles attached to the same heddle shaft. Thus as one heddle shaft is rotated through an-arc, one system of ends is displaced from the remaining ends of the warp forminga shed. If desired, these pair of heddle shafts maybe rotated alternately forming a triangular-shaped shed, or both shafts may berotated in opposite directions forming a diamond-shaped shed. Obviously additional pairs of heddle shafts may :be added to either side or both sides of the warp and operated similarly to the above indicated manners to form successive sheds from different systems of warp ends in order to produce the fancier weaves.

Each heddle shaft is provided with means for effecting rotation .of the shaft through an arc. A rocker arm extending radially from one end of the shaft and terminating in acam follower is adequate. The secondary shaft is'extended from a journal or other bearing adjacent one side frame to a :point spaced somewhat apart from the opposite side frame, At this .point ispositioned the rocker arm for itheinner or primary shaft which is also provided with a cam foll w Ext nd ng t ansverse th warp is-a heddle cam shaft provided with a pair of cams adapted to rotate in alternation each of the inner and outer heddle shafts through an arc sufficient in extent to move the selected warp ends from the Warp to form the desired sized shed.

The construction and operation of the improved shedding mechanism of the present invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a side elevation view of a loom provided with the improved shedding mechanism of the present invention,

Figure 2 is an end elevation View of the shedding mechanism indicating the relation of the concentric heddle shafts and of a set of cams and a cam shaft for actuating the heddle shafts, Figure. 3 is a plan View in partial cross-section of the mechanism of this invention showing the concentric heddle shafts with attached heddle rods,

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional end view of the detail of the concentric heddle shafts and cam follower and :cam with the heddle rods of the inner or primary heddle shaft displaced,

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional end view of the detail of the same :heddle shafts of Figure 4=except that the heddles of the outer or secondary heddle shaft are displaced as shown also, in Figure 1,

Figure 6 shows a modification of the concentric heddle shafts in which both the inner and outer heddle shaft are rotated in opposite directions to form adiamond-shaped shed in contrast to the "trian ular--shaped shed formed in the modifications indicated in Figures i and 5,

Figure '1 is .a modification of the heddle shaft apparatus in which the individual heddle shafts .are not concentric, but parallel, :and

Figure '8 is a schematic side elevation View similar to Figure 1 in which a modification is indicated which employs more than one pair of heddle shafts as is utilized in weaving fancy fabrics.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1, the warp it moves from right to left as the-drawing .is normally viewed from warp beam 2 over whip roll M and through reed l6 employed to move the filling up against the fell of finished fabric It .in the beating-up operation hereinafter described. The completed fabric passes over breast :beam 20 and is accumulated upon c1othrol122. Reed lfi is supported between lay .24 and :reed cap 26 and is shown in its backward throw, 1'. =.e., its normal at-rest position. Lay 24 is provided with race plate 28 and with a plurality of lay swords til which support the "lay and :reed combination from a rockshaft not shown.

When shed :32 is opened by the mechanism of the present invention, shuttle is thrownacross race plate 28 between shuttle boxes not shown :but positioned at the-extreme ends of race plate 28. Shuttle 34 carries a bobbin of filling yarn which unwinds in transit, leaving a strand of filament through the shed'between the warp ends forming the top and the bottom of the shed. The shed isrclosed subsequent to the passage of the shuttle and the'slay, inarapid motion, moves from its backward throw shown to its forward throw indicatedzin dottedlinesin Figure 1. This forces the .last strand'offilling yarn up against $61135 of the fabric. The lay returns to its atrest position and .anothershed is opened, the shuttle ShQ Qr thro n th Qllgh again and the beatin p ste i -reneated.

In Figure l shed 32 is shown open with part of the warp ends 38 displaced from the plane of warp l0 and a triangular shed is thereby formed. However, in another modification, a diamondshaped shed may be formed by displacing part of the warp ends 38 to the position shown while displacing the remaining part of the warp ends 4| in the opposite direction to the position shown .form because of their inherent low inertia, however they need not be so placed and may be disposed separately and parallel to one another as is, indicated in Figure 7, subsequently described.

A plurality of transverse slots 48 are milled or cut in secondary shaft 42 exposing primary shaft 46. Through each of these slots a primary heddle 44 is passed and which is integrally attached to primary shaft 40. The plurality of secondary heddles are integrally attached to secondary shaft 42 in a row between the slots 48 cut therein.

Attached to secondary shaft 42 is secondary rocker arm 50 provided with cam follower 52 riding upon cam-course 54 of cam 56. A similar apparatus is provided primary shaft 48, more clearly indicated in Figures 2 and 3, whereby the heddle shafts may be turned through an arc to form the shed in the warp as described. Upon rotation of cam shaft 58 a turning motion is imparted either simultaneous (in opposite directions) or in alternation (in the same directions) to primary and secondary heddle shafts whereby shed 32 is formed.

Referrin now to Figure 2, an end elevation view of the apparatus is shown taken in the direction indicated in Figure 1. Herein side frames 60 and 62 are shown provided respectively with heddle shaft journal bearing housings 64 and 66, into I which extend journals 68 and 10 of the primary and secondary heddle shafts 40 and 42. Primary rocker arm 72 provided with cam follower 14 is provided primary heddle shaft 46. Cam follower l4 rides upon the cam-course of primary heddle cam I6 which is attached to and rotateswith heddle cam shaft 58. Secondary rocker arm 50, cam follower 52 and secondary heddle cam 56, described above, are also shown. Attached to the side frames are the heddle cam shaft journal bearing housings l9 and 86. Means, not shown, are provided for rotating heddle cam shaft 58 from the main drive shaft of the loom thereby opening and closing the sheds as indicated.

In Figure 2 the arrangement is such that a plain weave is formed since first the primary heddles and next the secondary heddles are displaced from the plane of the warp 82 to form successive sheds. It should be understood that by providing further sets of primary and secondary heddle shafts that the fancier weaves may be made in the conventional manners.

Referring now to Figure 3, a plan view of the heddle shafts, side frames, and heddles is shown in partial cross-section. Herein side frames 60 and 62 are shown between which primary and secondary heddle shafts 4t and 42 are suspended by means of journals 68 and '10 Or other bearings.

v The primary and secondary rocker arms 72 and Primary heddles 44 extend through each of these slots and are integrally attached to primary heddle shaft 40. The secondary heddles 46 are inte, grally attached to secondary shaft 42 in a line at points between the slots or cuts 48.

Also shown at the extremities of each of the heddles are eyes 18 through each of which an individual warp end extends. Thus in making a plain weave the odd numbered ends pass through the eyes of primary heddles, for example, while the even numbered ends are displaced from the warp by the secondary heddles.

Referring now to Figure 4, a detail view in cross-section is shown of the heddle shaft system. Primary or inner shaft 40 is shown with a primary heddle 44 extending through slot 48 in secondary or outer heddle shaft 42. Attached to this latter shaft is secondary heddle 46. The primary heddles 44 are shown in the deflected position which is effected by the rotation of primary heddle shaft through an arc with respect to secondary heddle shaft 42 through the deflection of primary rocker arm 12 by means of primary heddle cam 16 not shown, but indicated in Figures 2 and 3. Secondary heddles 46 are undefiected since secondary cam follower 52 is riding on the circular portion of the cam-course of secondary cam 56.

In Figure 5 the same View of the shaft system shown in Figure 4 is indicated except the positions are such that secondary heddles 46 are deflected. Cam follower 52 has followed the camcourse of secondary heddle cam 56 to a position upon dwell 84 of the cam-course thereby turning the secondary heddle shaft. Ihe position of primary heddle rocker arm 12 has been omitted to maintain the clarity of the drawing, but it is at this time in the normal or ,undefiected position the same as is secondary rocker arm 51: shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 6 a modification of the heddle shaft system is shown in which, instead of a triangular-shaped shed being formed as in Figures 4 and 5, a diamond-shaped shed is made by causing the primary and secondary heddle shafts to rotate through an are simultaneously, but in the opposite directions to each other. The operation is such that each shaft will rotate one direction in forming one shed and the opposite direction in forming the next. In the drawing the primary and secondary heddle shafts 46 and 42 respectively are shown rotated counterclockwise and clockwise respectively. Therefore, as the drawing is viewed, primary heddle rods 44 are deflected downwardly while secondary heddle rods 46 are deflected upwardly to form a shed, the cross-section of which has a diamond shape as indicated in Figure 1 showing top of the shed 4| and bottom of the shed 38. This action is attained from the cam-course having spaced raised and depressed dwells l3 and 15 respectively shown on primary heddle cam .16. A retaining force may be applied to all cams shown in the drawings to insure accurate following of the camcourse. The secondary cam, not shown, is placed 180 out of phase with the primary cam l6 show and has an identical cam-course.

In Figure 7 another preferred modification of the mechanism of the present invention for forming diamond-shaped sheds is shown in which concentric heddle shafts have been replaced by separate primary and secondary heddle shafts 86 and 88, which is a mechanism of very low inertia and well suited to high speed looms. These may 75 be actuated by a rocker arm attached to either of these shafts andraprovidedwith. a cam running onancam having a cam-course:,similar to that ofprimarycheddlercam 576 in Figured of heddles need be deflected at once. "actionsarenot' shown here, but are analogous "to those" indicated in previous figures.

follower Thus as primary .heddle'shaftittrfor example,

" providedzwith the rockerarmis deflected; toothed portionQil' thereof engages toothed portion 92 of secondary heddlel shaft 88 causing it to: rotate in .the opposite-direction and through the same arc. A diamond-shapedshedis thereby. formed as in- Hdicatedin Figure land referred to above.

weave, it is of little importance which modificationis used, but in the fancier weaves it is preferred to have the corresponding primary and secondary heddle shafts on the same-side to avoid complex arrangements with other sets or pairs heddle shaft systemswhich are required.

It is to be understood that the toothed portions referred to may be substituted with equivalent types of couplings for two shafts in opposite rota- Presented in Figure 8 isa schematic elevation view of the warpwith shed showing the arrangement of a plurality of heddle shaft sets to'be employed in producing fabrics 'having' other than a plain weave. lhere are shown afirst set and a-secondsetof shaft systems, including first prirnary-shafttdyfirst secondary shaftQS, second primary shaft '38, and second secondary shaft I 09, provided respectively with first primary heddles -lll'2,-first-*secondary heddles" I 04, second primary. 'heddles 1 36," and second secondary' heddles' Hi8.

The use of'adiamond sha'ped'shed maybe substituted if desired-by applyingthe cam actions indicated in either of Figures 6 or 7. In the event that a plurality of heddle shaft sets are to be placed on one side'cf' the warp; the plan in Figure. 8 is suggested'ih which third primary heddle shaft. llD

and third-secondaryheddle shaft H2 are placed adjacent'thefirslfset;

The heddlesare passed around the adjacent set of heddle shafts as indicated with third primary heddle H4.

As'an example of the shedding mechanism of woven using eight warp ends in the warp spaced 'aryiheddle-shafts were the concentric modification shown and the. primary and secondary'heddleszwwere: of the same .length, acout 4.0 inches.

A triangular shed was ..fonned in the. warp which Was-about;l;rinches hetwcentop' and bottom and about 1%) inches alonglthe warp... :flZThe total space "desirable. modification involves anear vertical.

warp with the shedding mechanism of the present The cam t placed on opposite sides' thereof;--In a plaini;

' thepresentinvention, a working model of a loom. was constructed inwhich the fabric produced was occupied by. the" shedding mechanism extended,

about 2.0 inches below the horizontal. warp and invention described herein since a mimmum of floor area .is required per loom;

A particular embodimentof thepresent'i-nvention has been hereinabo-ve described inconsiderable detail .by way of illustration; It .should' be understood that various other modifications, and adaptations thereof may be made by those skilled inthisparti ularyart' without departing from the spirit and scope Ofxthis invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim: x 1 i.- Ashedding apparatus for weaving apparatus which comprises a primary heddle actuating .shaft andia secondaryheddle actuating shaftdisposed transverse to the warp ends and spacedapart from the plane of'the warp inthe weaving apparatus, a plurality of primary heddle rods attached atone end to said primary heddleshaft, a plurality of secondary heddle rods attached at one end to said secondary heddle shaft, said heddle rods'being provided at their other ends with an eye-through each of which an individual war-p end passes,-an'd means for rotating saidprimary and secondary heddle shafts through an arc forming a shed in the warp. w I

- 2. An improved shedding apparatus of low inertia for high speed weaving apparatus which comprises at least one eachprimary and secondary heddle actuating shafts supporteddn transverse relation to the warp ends andspaced apart'irom the plane thereof'in theweaving apparatus, a pluralit ofprimary heddle rods-attached-at one end' to-said primary heddle shaft,

a plurality of-seconda-ry heddle rods attached at one end to said secondary heddle shaft,-each of said primary and secondaryheddlerods extending from the said heddle shafts along the said-other end of each ofsaid 'heddlerods and thr0ugh-which an individual warp end "passes,

and means forrotating said primary and secondaly heddle shafts through restricted arc todisplace warp ends from the normal plane of the warp forming a shed.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 whereinsaid primary heddle shaft is concentric within said secondary heddle'shaft and said primary heddle rodsextend through radial slots in said secondary heddle shaft) 4. An apparatus according to claim' 3- wherein a plurality of "said primaryand secondary heddle shafts in concentric relation --are disposed on opposite sides of the plane of said'warp.

5. =An apparatus according to claim 2 -wherein-said means for rotating said primary and secondary heddle shafts comprise a primary-and secondary'rocker arm attached to said' heddle shafts respectively and provided with: cam 'followers, a primary and secondary heddle cam and a-heddle cam shaft for rotating said hed- GxAn apparatus according to'claini 'fi'wherein said primary and secondary heddle cams are disposed with respect tothe primary and-secondary rocker arms and cam followers to rotate said primary and secondary heddle shafts in alternation and in the same'directions.

'7; Anapparatus according to claim 5 wherein said primary and secondary heddle camsare each'provided with a circular camecourse and a radially raised dwell and said, camsaretimed out of. phase with eachvother to alternately rotate theprimary and secondary heddle shafts.

8. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said primary and secondary heddle cams are disposed with respect to the primary and secondary rocker arms and cam followers to rotate such primary and secondary heddle shafts simultaneously and in opposite directions.

9. An apparatus according to claim Wherein said primary and secondary heddle cams are each provided with a circular cam-course having a radially depressed and a radially raised dwell substantially 180 apart, and said primary and secondary heddle cams are disposed 180 out of phase with respect to each other.

10. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for rotating said primary and secondary heddle shafts comprises a primary gear attached to said primary heddle shaft engaging with a secondary gear attached to said secondary heddle shaft, a rocker arm attached to one of said heddle shafts and provided with a cam follower, a heddle cam shaft and heddle cam, said cam having a circular cam-course provided with a radially raised dwell and a radially depressed dwell spaced 180 apart, and means for rotating said cam shaft.

11. A shedding mechanism for weaving apparatus which comprises a primary heddle actuating shaft disposed within a secondary heddle actuating shaft, said shafts being disposed transverse with respect to the individual warp ends and spaced apart from the warp in the weaving apparatus and supported by bearings, a primary and secondary rocker arm attached to said primary and secondary heddle shafts respectively and provided with cam followers, a heddle cam shaft mounted parallel to said heddle shafts and provided with primary and secondary heddle cams in contacting relation with the cam followers of the respective rocker arms, each of said cams having a circular camcourse provided with a radially raised dwell, driving means for rotating said heddle cam shaft to rotate said primary and secondary heddle shafts through a restricted arc, a plurality of radial uniformly spaced slots along the length of said secondary heddle shaft, a plurality of primary heddle rods extending through said slots and integrally attached at one end to said primary heddle shaft, a plurality of secondary heddle rods attached at one end to said secondary heddle shaft along the length thereof, one each at points between said radial slots, said heddle rods comprising a substantially linear portion extending from said heddle shaft and a curved portion terminating at the normal plane of the warp and an eye at the other end of each of said heddle rods through which an individual I warp end is passed.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said heddle cams have a circular cam-course provided with a single radially raised dwell and said dwells are disposed out of phase on said heddle cam shaft.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said heddle cams have a radially raised dwell 180 apart from a radially depressed dwell, and

10 said primary and secondary heddle cams are disposed 180 out of phase on said cam shaft.

14. An apparatus according to claim 11 having a plurality of said primary and. secondary heddle shafts.

15. An apparatus according to ciaim 14 wherein a concentric primary and secondary heddle shaft combination is disposed on either side of said warp.

16. In an apparatus for weaving fabrics which comprises means for supporting a warp, an oscillating lay and reed provided with a shuttle race, shuttle boxes adjacent each end of said shuttle race, a shuttle reciprocable therein, and means for throwing said shuttle between said shuttle boxes along said shuttle race through a shed formed in said warp, the improvement in a shedding mechanism which comprises at least one primary and at least one secondary heddle actuating shaft disposed substantially transverse to the warp and spaced apart therefrom, a plurality of primary heddle rods attached at one end to said primary heddle shaft, a plurality of secondary heddle rods attached at one end to said secondary heddle shaft, said heddle rods each provided at their other ends substantially at the plane of the warp with an eye through which passes one warp end of said warp, and means for rotating said primary and secondary heddle actuating shafts through an arc to form a shed in said warp.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein each primary heddle shaft is concentric within said secondary heddle shaft corresponding thereto, said primary heddle rods being extended one each through a plurality of transverse slots cut at intervals along the length of said secondary heddle shaft and secured on said primary heddle shaft.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said means for rotating said primary and secondary heddle actuating shafts is adapted to rotate said heddle actuating shafts simultaneously through arcs in opposite directions to form a diamond-shaped shed in said warp.

19. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said means for rotating said primary and secondary heddle actuating shafts is adapted to rotate said heddle actuating shafts alternately through an arc in the same direction to form a triangular-shaped shed in said warp.

PARKER H. STOR'IZ.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,183,583 Moriggl May 16, 1916 2,434,344 Beckstrom Jan. 13, 1948 2,446,596 Kaufman Aug. 10, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,260 Great Britain of 1869 331,169 Great Britain June 26, 1930 

